Carlos Manuel Correia

Abstract
Capturing high-resolution imagery of the Earth's surface often calls for a telescope of considerable size, even from low Earth orbits (LEOs). A large aperture often requires large and expensive platforms. For instance, achieving a resolution of 1 m at visible wavelengths from LEO typically requires an aperture diameter of at least 30 cm. Additionally, ensuring high revisit times often prompts the use of multiple satellites. In light of these challenges, a small, segmented, deployable CubeSat telescope was recently proposed creating the additional need of phasing the telescope's mirrors. Phasing methods on compact platforms are constrained by the limited volume and power available, excluding solutions that rely on dedicated hardware or demand substantial computational resources. Neural networks (NNs) are known for their computationally efficient inference and reduced onboard requirements. Therefore, we developed a NN-based method to measure co-phasing errors inherent to a deployable telescope. The proposed technique demonstrates its ability to detect phasing errors at the targeted performance level [typically a wavefront error (WFE) below 15 nm RMS for a visible imager operating at the diffraction limit] using a point source. The robustness of the NN method is verified in presence of high-order aberrations or noise and the results are compared against existing state-of-the-art techniques. The developed NN model ensures its feasibility and provides arealistic pathway towards achieving diffraction-limited images. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group

Abstract
The GNAO facility is an upcoming adaptive optics (AO) system for the Gemini North Telescope. It will deliver both wide and narrow field AO capabilities to its first light instrument GIRMOS. GIRMOS is a multi-object AO (MOAO) instrument that houses four near infrared (NIR) IFU spectrographs and a NIR imager similar to GSAOI at Gemini South. The required sensitivity of the combined system is largely driven by rapid transient followup AO-corrected Imaging and the required sensitivity is in part driven by the performance of the AO system. Up until recently, the estimated AO performance feeding the combined GNAO+GIRMOS imaging system was derived from models using limited information on what the actual parameters will eventually be. However, the AO system (currently called the AO Bench, or AOB) recently underwent a competitive bidding process to derive an AO design that met or exceeded our AO requirements. This work summarizes the update to the combined GNAO+GIRMOS imaging system performance based on the newly designed AOB parameters. We discuss the impact due to the changes in performance, specifically with respect to key science cases of the GNAO+GIRMOS imaging system compared to the previous models of the AO system. We also discuss the largest hurdles in terms of parameters that affect performance, such as telescope vibrations and detector quantum efficiency and our plans for mitigation.

Abstract
METIS, the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph, will be one of the first instruments to be used at ESO's 39m Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), that is currently under construction. With that, a number of firsts are to be addressed in the development of METIS' single-conjugate Adaptive Optics (SCAO) system: the size of the telescope and the associated complexity of the wavefront control tasks, the unique scientific capabilities of METIS, including high contrast imaging, the interaction with the newly established, integrated wavefront control infrastructure of the ELT, the integration of the near-infrared Pyramid Wavefront Sensor and other key Adaptive Optics (AO) hardware embedded within a large, fully cryogenic instrument. METIS and it's AO system have passed the final design review and are now in the manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing phase. The firsts are approached through a compact hard- and software design and an extensive test program to mature METIS SCAO before it is deployed at the telescope. This program includes significant investments in test setups that allow to mimic conditions at the ELT. A dedicated cryo-test facility allows for subsystem testing independent of the METIS infrastructure. A telescope simulator is being set up for end-to-end laboratory tests of the AO control system together with the final SCAO hardware. Specific control algorithm prototypes will be tested on sky. In this contribution, we present the progress of METIS SCAO with an emphasis on the preparation for the test activities foreseen to enable a successful future deployment of METIS SCAO at the ELT.

Abstract
METIS, the Mid-Infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph is a first-generation ELT instrument scheduled to see first light in 2029. Its two main science modules are supported by an adaptive optics system featuring a pyramid sensor with 90x90 sub-apertures working in H- and K-band. The wavefront control concept for METIS' singleconjugate adaptive optics relies on a synthetic calibration that uses a model of the telescope and instrument to generate the interaction and control matrices, as well as the final projection on a modal command vector. This concept is enforced owing to the absence of a calibration source in front of the ELT's main deformable mirror. The core of the synthetic calibration functionality is the Command Matrix Optimiser module, which consists of several components providing models for various parts and aspects of the instrument, as well as the entire reconstructor. Many are present in the simulation environment used during the design phases, but need to be re-written and/or adapted for real-life use. In this paper, we present the design of the full command matrix optimisation module, the status of these efforts and the overall final concept of METIS' soft real-time system.

Abstract
AOB is an Adaptive Optics (AO) facility currently designed to feed the Gemini infrared Multi Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) on the GEMINI North 8m class telescope located in Hawaii. This AO system will be made of two AO modes. A laser tomography AO (LTAO) mode using 4 LGS (laser guide stars) and [1-3] NGS (natural guide stars) for high performance over a narrow field of view (a few a rcsec). The LTAO reconstruction will benefit from the most recent developments in the field, such as the super-resolution concept for the multi-LGS tomographic system, the calibration and optimization of the system on the sky, etc. The system will also operate in Ground Layer Adaptive Optics (GLAO) mode providing a robust solution for homogeneous partial AO correction over a wide 2' FOV. This last mode will also be used as a first s tep of a MOAO (Multi-object adaptive optics) mode integrated in the GIRMOS instrument. Both GLAO and LTAO modes are optimized to provide the best possible sky coverage, up to 60% at the North Galactic Pole. Finally, the project has been designed from day one as a fast-track, cost effective project, aiming to provide a first scientific light on the telescope by 2028 at the latest, with a good balance of innovative and creative concepts combined with standard and well controlled components and solutions. In this paper, we will present the innovative concepts, design and performance analysis of the two AO modes (LTAO and GLAO) of the AOB project.